Concepts of Children and Childhood from an Educational Perspective 1900–1940: Context, Curriculum and Experiences

Abstract

This chapter traces the evolution of the concept of children and childhood in Ireland within the primary school curriculum in the opening decades of the twentieth century. The chapter begins by examining the concept of children inherent in the Revised Programme of Instruction (1900), devised during the period of British rule, which resonated strongly with international developments and was progressive and child-centred in character. The chapter then moves to explore the curricula introduced in Ireland following political independence within which the concept of children was underpinned by the twin pillars of nationalism and Catholicism. For each of the curricula examined, the background and context for their development are explored, their content and philosophy are interrogated and key messages around the concept of children are distilled. The chapter concludes by briefly examining subsequent curriculum developments following the 1940s.

Appendix 1: Compulsory and Optional Subjects in the Primary School Curriculum, 1900–1940s

Year	Compulsory subjects	Optional/additional subjects	Additional notes
1900	• English • Arithmetic • Kindergarten Methods • Manual Instruction • Drawing • Object Lessons and Elementary Science • Singing • School Discipline and Physical Drill • Cookery (girls) • Laundry (girls) • Needlework (girls)	• French • Latin • Mathematics • Irish • Instrumental Music	• English and Arithmetic were the only ‘compulsory subjects’, with all other subjects to be taught if teachers were proficient and the necessary facilities and resources were available • Geography and History were taught through Geographical and Historical Reading Books • From 1904, Manual Instruction was discontinued in the senior classes, Geography was included as a separate subject and Cookery applied to fifth and sixth classes only
1922	• Religion (extra-curricular) • Irish • English • Mathematics (Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry) • History and Geography • Singing • Drill • Needlework (girls)	• Drawing • Advanced Algebra • Advanced Geometry and Mensuration • French (or other continental language) • Latin • Nature Study • Book-keeping • Elementary Science • Cookery • Rural Science and School Gardening • Manual Instruction (Woodwork) • Domestic Science	• All work in the infant classes was to be through the medium of Irish • The work in the infant classes was classified under Language, Drawing, Numbers, Kindergarten Gifts and Occupations, Songs and Games • A veto was allowed to parents regarding the teaching of either the Irish or English language in schools • History and Geography were to be taught as one subject
1926	• Religion (extra-curricular) • Irish • English • Mathematics • History • Geography • Music • Rural Science/ Nature Study • Needlework (girls)	• Drawing • Domestic Science • Physical Training • Manual Instruction	• All work in the infant classes was to be through the medium of Irish, but allowing English to be used before 10.30 a.m. and after 2.00 p.m. • The work in the infant classes was classified under Language, Kindergarten, Songs, Games, Arithmetic and Drawing • Higher and Lower Course were introduced in Irish and English, with the aim that the Higher Course in Irish would become the norm • Algebra and Geometry (as part of Mathematics) became optional in classes taught by women teachers and in one-teacher schools • History and Geography were reconstituted as separate subjects
1934	• Religion (extra-curricular) • Irish • English • Arithmetic • History • Geography • Music • Needlework (girls) • Algebra or Geometry (large boys’ schools only)	• English (first class) • Rural Science/ Nature Study • Domestic Science • Drawing • Physical Training • Manual Instruction • Algebra and Geometry (girls’ schools and small schools)	• All work in the infant classes was to be through the medium of Irish • No English was allowed in the infant classes, while English became an optional subject in first class • The Higher Course in Irish and the Lower Course in English was to be taught in all schools
1948	• Religion (extra-curricular) • Irish • English • Arithmetic • History • Geography • Music • Needlework (girls) • Algebra or Geometry (large boys’ schools only)	• English (first class) • Rural Science/ Nature Study • Domestic Science • Drawing • Physical Training • Manual Instruction, • Algebra and Geometry (girls’ schools and small schools)	• Revised Programme for Infants allowed for a more child-centred and heuristic approach in the infant classes • Optional thirty minutes of English allowed each day in the infant classes

1. Source Adapted from Thomas Walsh, ‘The National System of Education 1831–2000’, in Essays in the History of Irish Education, ed. Brendan Walsh (UK: Palgrave Macmillan, 2016), 7–43.